[Me & X] Data centres in space
X: What do you think about the idea of data centres in space?
Me: I did some private research on this back in 2016/2017, I then re-affirmed what I suspected with a mapping group back in 2020/2021, my views haven't changed - https://lnkd.in/eptmu3eZ ... a lot of the network is going into space, hence relevant data will tend to follow.
X: Why?
Me: So many reasons. But to begin with, it'll be of interest to the financial sector and international private banking clients.
X: Bankers in space? Why?
Me: No single jurisdiction in space. Private banking often separates identification of ownership into a different jurisdiction than the account. When it comes to jurisdiction, well it's a messy topic with space. Under the Outer Space Treaty, nations have jurisdiction over space objects they launch. Operators of those objects work under national licensing requirements, then you have ground stations and even some laws that follow the data. There is fragmented jurisdiction in space.
X: Example?
Me: If a German company stores data on a space "data centre" then GDPR applies (as it follows the data). If the communication uses a ground station operated by a US service provider then CLOUD Act applies (this is in fact in conflict with GDPR). If the "data centre" was launched and operated by a UK company then UK licensing rules apply. There is no overall court with jurisdiction, instead you have patchy international agreements. It's a legal mess with a mountain of loopholes. Exactly the sort of thing that private bankers thrive on.
Originally published on LinkedIn.